Although Tom Brady has been retired from the NFL for several years now, his status as one of football’s most iconic figures continues to keep him in the public eye. With a legendary career that includes a 7-2 Super Bowl record, Brady’s name still resonates powerfully across the sports world. Despite all his success, however, there remains one notable blemish on his otherwise impeccable résumé — two crushing Super Bowl losses to Eli Manning and the New York Giants.
Brady and Manning, longtime rivals on the NFL’s biggest stage, recently reunited in a lighter, more entertaining context at the Fanatics Fest in New York City. The event featured the two quarterbacks embracing a playful, WWE-style introduction to the delight of fans in attendance. Manning entered the stage mimicking the swagger of WWE superstar Roman Reigns, while Brady made his entrance with Cody Rhodes’ theme music blaring in the background — a nod to the theatrical world of pro wrestling.
Adding to the entertainment, Brady theatrically tore an Eli Manning Giants jersey in half, only to be ambushed by Manning moments later. It was all in good fun and served as a nostalgic reminder of the intense but respectful rivalry the two shared on the gridiron. Fans were clearly thrilled to see these football legends channel their competitive energy into such lighthearted antics.
Brady’s NFL journey, especially with the New England Patriots, is the stuff of legend. He led the Patriots to an 18-0 record during the 2007 season, entering Super Bowl XLII with a chance to complete a perfect season. But Manning and the Giants dashed those dreams with a stunning 17-14 upset — a game remembered for David Tyree’s miraculous helmet catch. Four years later, the two teams clashed again in Super Bowl XLVI, and once again, Manning’s Giants emerged victorious, this time by a 21-17 score. Those two defeats are the only Super Bowl blemishes in Brady’s otherwise dominant postseason career.
Of course, Brady did eventually claim his seventh Super Bowl ring — this time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 — further cementing his GOAT status. Yet, the shadow of those two losses to Manning remains a notable chapter in his story.
Whether Brady and Manning will take their playful feud further — perhaps into an actual WWE ring — is unknown. But one thing is certain: any appearance featuring these two titans of the game is bound to draw widespread attention. Their rivalry, once fierce on the field, now offers fans a new kind of entertainment rooted in mutual respect and showmanship.
